In each room of the performing arts center in Gainesville — about 70 miles north of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex — you’ll find young musicians of all types stringing their fiddles, strumming their guitars and belting out tunes. They’re all participating in the Big Aug. ‘13 Texas Swing School, learning to play Texas extra Swing, known to some as the original Texas music. “It was a joining of two genres of swing music,” says executive director Dave Alexan- der, who founded the school. “Big band music news calendar releases q&a and cowboy music, which was fiddle based.” click here to read click here to read click here to read click here to read Don’t be fooled, though: these students are Students attending the Big Texas Swing School range from no amateurs. “I can play the fiddle, guitar, 11 to 17 years old. mandolin, drums and piano,” Colby Sheppard School of Swing says. “I can play a lot.” The students range in included legendary pickers Merle Travis and Up in Gainesville, Texas, apparently, Bob Wills age from 11 to 17, and, like Sheppard, most play Charlie Monroe. He also recorded at Motown is still the king. Texas Swing may be a genre several instruments. They work in different Records and played with Ray Price and Merle that’s a century old, but now it’s gaining groups throughout the day. Then, once well re- Haggard before teaming up with Nelson from popularity with a new generation through a hearsed, they come together to make one big 1973 through 2008. “My role was to try and summer music camp that’s in its fourth year. sound. “It’s not an easy music to play. It’s not put something down for Willie to walk on [with a three-chord country song,” Alexander says. his guitar],” Payne told Joe Nick Patoski in “There are lots of chords and a lot of harmo- Nelson’s biography, An Epic Life. “Try to lay it ny. Everybody has lots of different jobs.” And down for him and sing a little harmony to sup- each possesses a passion to bring this clas- port his vocals.” Payne’s twangy Telecaster extra sic music to today’s generation. “I feel like it’s and gruff voice complemented Nelson’s clean my job — and others who are interested in this vocals and nylon-stringed stabbing. “We cre- music — to keep it alive and bring it back,” stu- ated musical history,” Payne said of his collab- PUBLISHER/ STEWART RAMSER dent Mikky Daniel says. Adds Shannon Hall: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF oration with Nelson, which lasted more than “I think it’s great that the next generation three decades. “It wasn’t me, it was us. I was EDITOR TOM BUCKLEY of musicians are rising up and taking their just a small part place and making their mark in the world.” Payne (left) with Willie Nelson. The performers’ distinct ASSOCIATE EDITOR WILLIAM MICHAEL SMITH styles complemented one another. of something people wanted CONTribuTOrs KEVIN ALLEN Custom Label Loss in the Family to hear, and ALLIE EISSLER Big Bend Records, a new independent record Jody Payne, longtime guitarist for Willie Nel- we entertained ANNE HERMAN label, officially launched at the Viva Big Bend son, died Aug. 10 from cardiac complications. them.” After re- DAVID MENCONI music festival in late July. Texas Music pub- Payne woke up early feeling ill and was taken to tiring from the SARAH WHITE lisher Stewart Ramser, a partner in the new the hospital by ambulance. The musician, who stage in 2008, www.txmusic.com label, says it will focus on Texas artists, just as was 77, had a history of cardiac issues. “Sad to he moved to the quarterly magazine he launched in 2000 report that Jody Payne passes away,” stated Stapleton, Ala., MailiNG ADDress PO boX 50273 has done for 13 years. “I’m continually inspired a post on Nelson’s Facebook page. “Our friend with his wife, austin, TX 78763 by the amazing amount of talent in this great will be missed. Seriously getting the band back Vicki. There SUBSCRIPTIONS: 1-877-35-TEXAS state,” Ramser says. “With Big Bend Records, together in heaven now. Jody Payne with [bass he continued OFFICE: 512-638-8900 we can foster these artists and give new and player] Bee Spears and [stage manager] Pood- playing music, E-MAIL: [email protected] established musicians the attention they de- C O P yri G ht © 2 0 1 3 by T E X as M usic , L . L . C . ie [Locke].” Payne, the shaggy, Kentucky-born teaching gui- A ll ri G hts reserved . serve.” Big Bend Records is one element of a guitarist, was a skilled country and bluegrass tar at a local REProduction in whole or Part is Prohibited. new Texas Music partnership created by Ram- player from an early age; his first teachers music store. ser, Jon Niess and Julian Lowin. news calendar releases q&a click here to read click here to read click here to read click here to read Texas Troubadour journeys in trying to make a go of their musi- Kris Kristofferson will be coming to television cal dreams, capturing them both onstage and in the fall. The legendary singer-songwriter off. Filmed mostly in Texas, the docu-reality and actor has signed on for the third season of show has won 17 Telly awards. Kristoffer- Troubadour, TX, which will begin airing in late son will serve as a weekly segment host for September. The series follows a diverse col- the 22-episode season. He’ll share personal lection of singer-songwriters on their various stories of his life as a singer-songwriter, ex- plore the influence of Texas music and artists, and offer his unique perspective on the challenging journey of artists. The Grammy-win- ning country legend, whose songs include “Me and Bob- by McGee,” “For the Good Times,” “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down” and “Help Me Make It Through the Night,” will also appear in a one- hour special, Troubadour, TX Presents an Evening With Kris Kristofferson, which will air nationwide this fall on networks carrying the tele- vision series. Augie’s Time “You didn’t think we’d put Doug on display without Au- gie, did you?” Michael Ann Coker, co-founder of the South Texas Popular Culture Center (or Tex Pop), asks when discussing the cen- ter’s latest exhibit, a tribute to Augie Meyers entitled “Kep Pa So.” In May 2012, news calendar releases q&a click here to read click here to read click here to read click here to read says, “who have a strong desire to play the Road to Recovery lon Jennings-Old 97’s collaborations and guitar but don’t have the financial resources Randy Travis is out of the hospital but not some Old 97’s demos on a new six-track EP to be able to purchase an instrument.” out of the woods. Three weeks after suffer- that will be available in a digipack with art ing heart failure and a stroke, the country from Jon Langford (of the Mekons and Waco The Wedding Singer star was transferred to a physical therapy Brothers) and insightful and hilarious liner From “Miss Independent” to marriage mate- center for more treatment. The release and notes from the band’s Rhett Miller. rial, Kelly Clarkson is having a hootenanny transfer came three weeks after Travis was in the video for her new single, “Tie It Up!” admitted to Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano Songs for West The American Idol alum shows the bride and for treatment of congestive heart failure. Central Texas musi- groom how to have a good time in her video He later suffered a stroke, which doctors cians were among the for the track that’s pop princess meets Pet- said was a complication of the heart failure. first to support efforts ticoat Junction in a throw-down barn wedding “Thanks to all the fans and friends for your to rebuild West after celebrating love of all kinds. The song is boun- continued prayers and support as Randy its devastating April cy and twangy enough to guarantee a place continues on the road to recovery,” his fian- 17 fertilizer company of honor at plenty of upcoming marriage cel- cé, Mary Davis, said in a written statement. explosion. They con- ebrations. And it’s a charming video, which Travis, 54, was initially hospitalized July 7 tinue to do so. The first splices footage of wedding singer Kelly — at Baylor Medical Center in McKinney with wave of support came in dozens of benefits flashing her own impressive engagement ring a presumptive cardiomyopathy and conges- and benefit performances raising money — with clips of actual nuptials. Clarkson proves tive heart failure. The singer transferred to rebuild homes and buildings and replace that weddings need just two things to ensure to the Heart Hospital the next day. He was firefighting and emergency equipment lost a good time: love and good music. Country eventually diagnosed with an acute viral ill- in the blast. Other help, such as the new music is hardly foreign territory to Clarkson, ness and scarring of his heart, which made Songs for West, Texas CD, took more time Doug Sahm was the subject of the first exhibit who’s performed with Martina McBride and his heart too weak to support his health to prepare but represents another part of put together by Tex Pop, a labor of love Coker Reba McEntire, among others, and last year without devices and medication. He has a the ongoing effort to support the town’s re- and longtime Austin Chronicle writer Margaret became engaged to McEntire’s stepson, Bran- family history of cardiomyopathy, and his ill- covery.